driving from Luang Prabang to Vientiane
#3
Join Date: Mar 2008
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I went from Luang Prabang to Phonsovan (Plain of Jars), then back to Vang Vieng and on to Vientiane by bus. Therefore I've been on some of the road. Its not a bad road but it is mountainous so if you suffer from travel sickness you may have a problem. If you go by bus there will be Laotians on board and they suffer terribly. Therefore lots of plastic bags being filled. I've also flown. I suppose it depends a bit on how much time you have and how much of the country you want to see.
I'm not sure if there are boats down the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
If you decide to go by road why not stop the night at Vang Vieng. It is very touristy (read backpacker heaven) but the surrounding countryside is lovely.
I'm not sure if there are boats down the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
If you decide to go by road why not stop the night at Vang Vieng. It is very touristy (read backpacker heaven) but the surrounding countryside is lovely.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2009
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I suspect drivers on the Cote d'Azur tend to be a bit better than in Lao. I didn't get to see much of the scenery as a driver. I fly these days and the scenery is just as good as it is not a long flight from Vte and the plane does not get up high.
#9
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It's a wonderful drive - especially the bit from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. I would thoroughly recommend it. You would be best off in a 4WD and the road conditions vary immensely.
You might also want to avoid the wet season.
At halfway, Vang Vieng has a wide range of hotels to stop at.
There are one or two other places now with hotels too.
You might also want to avoid the wet season.
At halfway, Vang Vieng has a wide range of hotels to stop at.
There are one or two other places now with hotels too.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2010
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I did the trip in February from LP over to the Plain of Jars and then down to Vang Vieng and it was one of the highlights of my four months in Southeast Asia. I went on shuttle mini vans and one person was sick but she moved to the front and seemed much better. It is a wonderful opportunity to see a very unique culture up close plus the scenery is spectacular.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Luang Prabang to Vientiane is about 380 kms. THis doesn't sound a lot but the road conditions mean a conservative average speed of about 40 kph which makes it about 9 to 10 hour drive. However, there are a couple of places around halfway that make the journey very easy. Vang Vieng is the most popular. Don't be put off by horror stories of mad backpackers - they are in general grossly exaggerated. I think the other place is Ban Nampo.